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The Antartic Peninsula And Weddell Sea - M/v Ushuaia

Emperor Penguins and the Weddell Sea
Journey deep into Antarctica to the home of majestic emperor penguins... The Weddell Sea is a pristine area of Antarctica, reserved only for the luckiest of polar travellers. It boasts huge tabular icebergs, pristine seas and an uncompromising environment reserved for rare and unique wildlife. It was here
that polar explorer Ernest Shackleton travelled, too, on his quest to conquer this inhospitable environment. During your cruise, you'll not only see the world’s tallest penguins, the emperors, but observe seals, whales and birds at close quarters.

Tour Highlights

See emperor penguins - the tallest penguin species in the world

Follow in the footsteps of famous polar explorer Ernest Shackleton

Journey deep into Antarctica, territory trodden by only a few lucky explorers

Itinerary

1

Ushuaia

Embark the M/V Ushuaia in the afternoon and meet your expedition crew and lecture staff. After you have settled into your cabins, sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Dinner

2

The Drake Passage

Named after the renowned explorer, Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence - a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As you sail across the passage, join lecturers out on deck to help you spot a variety of Seabirds, including many albatrosses, following in our wake.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3

The Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands

The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that you have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets, and what will be your first encounter with penguins and seals.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4

Weddell Sea

This is where huge tabular icebergs roam. The Weddell Sea is chock-a-block full with ice, making for exciting ice navigation. Why not get up early and go out on deck; the sunrises will be unlike anything you've ever seen. Huge tabular icebergs break from the Larsen, Ronne and Filchner ice shelves and combine with one-year-old and multi-year sea ice to produce a floating, undulating panorama of rugged ice scenery. All-white snow petrels are likely to be coursing over the floes, often joined by pintado petrels.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5

Weddell Sea

Hope Bay and the Argentinian Station, Esperanza, are located on the western side of the Antarctic Sound. Brown Bluff, a promontory on the Tabarin Peninsula, is located south of Hope Bay. Both of them might be possible landing sites.This region also teems with vibrant exploration history. You will hopefully visit: Hope Bay, Paulet Island and Cape Well-Met on Vega Island.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6

Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea represents the centre of the Peninsula's Adélie penguin population. The numbers of penguins are breathtaking. Sometimes juvenile emperor penguins have been sighted, but are not regulars in the area.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

Antarctic Peninsula

You will have plenty of time to explore the Antarctic Peninsula's amazing scenery, pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways and a wide variety of wildlife. Apart from gentoo and chinstrap Penguins and seabirds, you are likely to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as minke and orca whales at close range.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8

Antarctic Peninsula

We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways: the Gerlache Strait, Errera Channel and Neumayer Channel. Possible landing sites may include: Paradise Bay, which is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world with its impressive glacial fronts and mountains, Cuverville Island, home to the biggest gentoo penguin colony in the peninsula, surrounded by glaciers and castellated icebergs and the British Museum and Post office at Port Lockroy.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9

Antarctic Peninsula

Further exploration will lead us back towards the South Shetland Islands. This volcanic island group is a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries and seals hauling out on the shorelines make every day spent here unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is truly amazing, so is visiting the crescent shaped island Half Moon, home to chinstrap penguins in breathtaking surroundings.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10

The Drake Passage

Today, we head back across the Drake Passage.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11

The Drake Passage

The last lectures help polish our Antarctic education before making a ceremonial rounding of Cape Horn, time and weather permitting.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12

Ushuaia

A pre-dawn sail along the Beagle Channel and an early breakfast prepare you to dock in Ushuaia. There's time for final photos and to say our farewells before disembarking.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the The Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea - M/V Ushuaia tour available at present.

Transport

Zodiac, MV Ushuaia

Accommodation

11 nights Comfortable Boat

Tour Staff

Expedition Crew, Naturalist(s)

Ship Description

Built for the US agency NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration), the Ushuaia has been constantly modernised and refurbished in its eight year's operating in Antarctica. The Ushuaia is an ice-strengthened small ship, accommodating just 84 passengers; making it a comfortable and steadfast choice. Knowledgeable staff will ensure you get the most out of your visit and there's an open bridge policy plus ample deck space for wildlife-viewing.